Athra Alliance mourns Baghdede wedding fire tragedy, calls for national solidarity

NINEVEH PLAINS — In a somber statement, the Athra Alliance — a political coalition of five Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian political parties in Iraq — conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating wedding fire in the Nineveh Plains town of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniya) that left over 100 dead.

In its statement, the Athra Alliance expressed its profound grief, stating, “With broken hearts, we mourn for our people, the victims of the tragic accident that occurred yesterday in the Al-Haytham Events Hall in the city of Baghdede in Nineveh Plains.”

The statement extended condolences to the people of Baghdede and the families directly affected by the tragedy, emphasizing the shared sorrow and unity in grief. It highlighted that this calamity is not only a loss for the individuals and families involved but a tragedy that resonates with the entire nation.

Characterizing the incident as yet another profound tragedy amid challenging circumstances, the Athra Alliance issued a fervent call for unity, urging the global Syriac–Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean community to join hands and stand in solidarity with the people of Baghdede.

The Alliance further implored for immediate blood donations and the provision of aid and medicines to hospitals attending to the wounded. It also called for national mourning and appealed to both the Prime Minister of Iraq and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government to declare a period of public mourning.

Concluding their statement, the Athra Alliance urged Syriac–Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean communities around the world to mourn the victims and express solidarity with the resilient people of Baghdede.